JP6288953B2 - Rail inspection device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a rail inspection apparatus that can be mounted on a measurement vehicle that travels on a railroad rail and that can inspect the rail and can safely pass through a turnout.

  The railroad rail has a branching device for branching the rail, and the branching device has a gap called a broken line so that the wheel flange can pass therethrough. For this reason, the detection device mounted on the inspection vehicle may fall into the gap between the broken lines.

  For example, when a flaw detection vehicle is taken as an example of the inspection vehicle, a flaw detection device for detecting a defect in the rail is mounted on the flaw detection vehicle, and the inspection device of this flaw detection device reliably contacts the rail. Thus, it is always biased toward the rail by the biasing means. For this reason, when passing through the broken line portion, there is a problem that the inspection device is damaged by dropping into the broken line portion.

  As described above, a branching unit passing mechanism described in Patent Document 1 is known as a means for solving the problem that the inspection device falls into the broken line portion. In Patent Document 1, a measuring contact that contacts a rail surface of a rail is provided on a reference beam, and a plurality of guide rollers are arranged on a line along a direction gradually separating from the rail before and after the measuring contact. Further, the reference beam is provided with a roller for passing a broken line portion spaced apart from the measuring contact in the longitudinal direction. When the contact for measurement enters the broken line part by reaching the broken line part, the roller for passing the broken line part comes close to the rail to be measured and prevents the measurement contact element from falling into the broken line part. I am doing so. Also, when passing through the broken line part, guide it by riding on the rail at the end of the broken line part from the guide roller farthest from the measuring contact point so that the measuring contact is not subjected to a large impact. Yes.

Japanese Patent No. 2759327

  However, the branching device passing mechanism as disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a problem that it is difficult to pass depending on the rail shape of the branching device. For example, if the rails in the turnout are curved, if the tips of the multiple guide rollers fall into the broken line, it will be caught in the broken line and cannot pass through. There is a possibility that a device including the device may be damaged, and there is a risk that the rail facility itself may be damaged.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and provides a rail inspection device that does not fall into a missing line portion of a branching device and can continuously perform inspection even in the missing wire portion. For that purpose.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention is a rail inspection device provided with an inspection device that inspects a rail while traveling a pair of left and right rails,
An inspection device holder that integrally holds the inspection device slidingly contacting the top surface of the rail and moves on the top surface of the rail is provided, and the inspection device and the inspection device holder are biased toward the top surface of the rail. And
The inspection instrument holder has at least the maximum width measured along the direction perpendicular to the traveling direction from the missing line part to the top surface of the rail on either side of the missing line part. It is comprised so that it may become larger, and the length of a test | inspection apparatus holder is comprised so that it may become longer than the length of the said broken line part.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the tip of the inspection instrument holder has a shape that warps upward.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, a roller that rolls on the top surface of the rail is pivotally supported at the tip of the inspection device holder.

Invention of Claim 4 is provided with the pair of the guide wheel which drive | works on a pair of rail in invention of any one of Claim 1 thru | or 3,
The pair of guide wheels are movable in a direction orthogonal to the traveling direction, and are biased in directions away from each other so that the flange of the guide wheel contacts the inner side in the width direction of the corresponding rail,
In the missing line part of the turnout, the urging force of the guide wheel on the side that passes through the broken line part is sealed and separated from the inside of the corresponding rail,
The inspection device holder is movable in the direction orthogonal to the traveling direction together with the corresponding guide wheel, and the inspection device holder on the side passing through the broken line portion is the inner side in the width direction of the rail. It is characterized by displacement.

The invention according to claim 5 is the invention according to claim 4, wherein a plurality of pairs of guide wheels are provided at intervals before and after the rail,
The inspection device holder is disposed between guide wheels provided at intervals in the front-rear direction.

  According to the present invention, the inspection instrument holder has at least the width of the tip along a direction orthogonal to the traveling direction from the missing line part to the top surface of the rail existing on either side of the missing line part. The inspection device is configured to be larger than the measured maximum width, and the length of the inspection device holder is configured to be longer than the length of the broken line portion. The tip of the holder can move on the rail on either the left or right side of the broken line, and the tip of the inspection device holder passes over the broken line without falling into the broken line. can do. In addition, the inspection device holder straddles the front and back of the broken line portion, and the portion of the inspection device holder other than on the broken line portion can move on the top surface of the rail. It is surely prevented.

  Since the inspection device holder can move on the top surface of the traveling rail before and after the broken line portion, the inspection by the inspection device can be continued.

It is sectional drawing which abbreviate | omitted some components of the rail inspection vehicle which has a rail inspection apparatus by embodiment of this invention. It is the top view which abbreviate | omitted some components of the rail inspection apparatus. It is a side view of a part of rail inspection device. It is a top view showing a branching device. It is an enlarged view of the crossing part C of FIG. (A), (b) is the elements on larger scale of FIG. It is a side view showing the relationship between a broken line part and a test equipment holder. It is sectional drawing seen along the 8-8 line of FIG.6 (b) showing the relationship between a broken line part and a test | inspection apparatus holder. It is an explanatory top view showing operation when a rail inspection device of the present invention approaches a missing line part. It is an explanatory top view showing operation when a rail inspection device of the present invention approaches a missing line part. It is a side view showing other embodiment of the probe apparatus holder of a rail inspection apparatus.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the inspection vehicle 10 includes a vehicle body 12 and a rail inspection device 14 provided below the vehicle body 12. The rail inspection device 14 is connected to the vehicle body 12 with a degree of freedom in a direction orthogonal to the traveling direction (hereinafter also referred to as a width direction). That is, a vehicle body horizontal shaft 13 extending in the width direction is integrally provided at a lower portion of the vehicle body 12, and a pair of carriages 16 </ b> A and 16 </ b> B of the rail inspection device 14 are supported so as to be slidable. .

  The rail inspection device 14 includes the pair of carts 16A and 16B described above corresponding to the pair of traveling rails. As shown in FIG. 2, the carriage 16A includes at least two axles 18A and 18A spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the rail, and the carriage 16B is paired with the axles 18A and 18A so that the longitudinal direction of the rail Are provided with at least two axles 18B, 18B at intervals. The left and right axles 18A and 18B are connected via pressing means 20 and are pressed by the pressing means 20 in directions away from each other. The pressing means 20 can be composed of an air cylinder, for example, a combination of two air cylinders.

  Guide wheels 22A and 22B having flanges 21A and 21B on one side and rolling on the rails are pivotally supported on the axles 18A and 18B. The guide wheels 22A and 22B having the axles 18A and 18B and the flanges 21A and 21B are integrally moved in the width direction.

  Further, from the front and rear of each axle 18A, 18B, a pair of retraction rods 24A, 24B extending toward the other rail facing the rail on which the guide wheels 22A, 22B corresponding to each axle 18A, 18B travel are provided. Extendingly, shoes 26A and 26B are provided at the tips of the retracting rods 24A and 24B.

  Each carriage 16A, 16B supports inspection equipment holders 32A, 32B via biasing mechanisms 30A, 30B. Preferably, as shown in FIG. 2, the inspection device holders 32A and 32B are provided between the guide wheels 22A and 22A and between the guide wheels 22B and 22B provided at intervals in the longitudinal direction of the rail. Each is arranged. Each inspection device holder 32A, 32B holds a necessary inspection device 34 such as an ultrasonic probe, and is biased downward toward the corresponding rail by the biasing mechanisms 30A, 30B. Therefore, during the inspection, the inspection device 34 is pressed against the top surface of the rail.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of a branching device, and FIG. 5 shows an enlarged view of the crossing section C thereof. In FIG. 5, the part shown by the thick line represents the side through which the flanges of the wheels traveling on the rail pass. In this example of the branching device, lead rails LR1 and LR2 branched from the point rail P from the left and right basic rails R1 and R2 are provided. In the crossing section C, the longitudinal direction of the lead rails LR1 and LR2 is provided. Wing rails WR1 and WR2 (extension rails) that are bent and extended from the extension line in the track direction are provided.

  A nose rail NR having a pointed tip is provided on the extension line of the lead rails LR1 and LR2 in the track direction, and the rails R12 and R21 further branch from the nose rail NR to be paired with the basic rails R1 and R2, respectively. The wing rails WR1 and WR2 basically extend in parallel with the nose rail NR. Therefore, the wing rails WR1 and WR2 are different from the lead rails LR1 and LR2 that are bent and extend themselves, and the other lead rails LR2 and LR1. It is parallel to the orbital direction extension line.

  When the rail track is viewed in a plane, there is no rail between the bend point B1 at the boundary between the lead rail LR1 and the wing rail WR1 and the tip of the nose rail NR, resulting in a broken line portion G1. Similarly, there is no rail between the bend point B2 at the boundary between the lead rail LR2 and the wing rail WR2 and the tip of the nose rail NR, resulting in a broken line portion G2.

  Guard rails GR1 and GR2 are provided in parallel to the basic rails R1 and R2 at portions of the basic rails R1 and R2 facing the crossing portion C on the inner side in the width direction of the rails. These guard rails GR1 and GR2 are for restricting the movement of the flange of one wheel that travels on the basic rails R1 and R2 so that the other wheel does not enter another line. Is provided. Further, both ends of the guard rails GR1 and GR2 are introduction portions that are bent inward in the width direction of the rail.

  In the present invention, the length L of the inspection device holders 32A and 32B is set to the length Lg (of the broken line portions G1 and G2 so that the rail inspection device 14 can pass through the above-described broken line portion G safely. The length is longer than that shown in FIGS. 6A and 7, and preferably twice or more. Further, the width W of at least the tip of each of the inspection device holders 32A and 32B is orthogonal to the traveling direction from the broken line portions G1 and G2 to the top surface of the rail existing on either side of the broken line portions G1 and G2. It is set to be larger than the maximum width Wmax measured in the direction.

The maximum width Wmax can be considered as follows (see FIGS. 6B and 8).
(I) The maximum width (ii) of the width to the top surface of the lead rail on the non-running side from the broken line portions G1 and G2 and the width to the top surface of the wing rail extending from the lead rail (ii) Maximum width from the lead rail running from G1, G2 to the top surface of the wing rail extending

In the example of FIG. 6, the angle formed between the lead rails LR1, LR2 and the wing rails WR1, WR2 is φ, the distance between the wing rails WR1, WR2 and the nose rail NR is d, and the traveling direction is approximated to a straight line at the crossing portion C. As shown in FIG. 6 (a), the length Lg of the broken line portions G1 and G2 is such that the lead rails LR1 and LR2, the wing rails WR1 and WR2, the bending points B1 and B2, and the nose extending in the traveling direction. It can be defined by the distance between the tip of the rail NR and
Lg = d · cosecφ
It can be expressed as.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6B, the maximum width Wmax from the broken line portions G1 and G2 is measured on the lead rail on the non-traveling side measured from the broken line portions G1 and G2 in the direction orthogonal to the traveling direction. Assuming that the maximum width from the top rail surface or the lead rail on the non-traveling side to the top surface of the extending wing rail is the bending point B1, B2 at the boundary between the traveling lead rails LR1, LR2 and the wing rails WR1, WR2. To the lead rails LR2 and LR1 on the non-traveling side,
Wmax = d · secφ
It can be expressed as.

Or, if the maximum width Wmax from the missing line parts G1, G2 is the maximum width to the wing rails WR1, WR2 extending from the lead rails LR1, LR2 running from the missing line parts G1, G2,
Wmax = d
It can be expressed as.

  The width W of at least the tip of the inspection device holders 32A and 32B may be sufficiently larger than the maximum width Wmax from the broken line portions G1 and G2.

More preferably, the width of at least the tip of each of the inspection device holders 32A and 32B is the maximum of the total distance from the missing line parts G1 and G2 to the rails on both sides of the missing line parts G1 and G2, or the above (i ) And (ii) may be the sum of the maximum widths. That is, from the sum of the maximum width from the lead rail on the side that does not travel from the broken line portions G1 and G2 to the wing rail that extends from the lead rail, and the maximum width from the lead rail that travels to the wing rail that extends. Should be large,
W> d · secφ + d
It can be.

  Further, the tips of the inspection device holders 32A and 32B are warped upward portions 32a (see FIG. 3) that are warped upward so as not to be caught by the rail that crosses the broken line portion. 32a is separated from the rail toward the tip.

  Even if the bottom surface of the inspection device 34 held integrally with the inspection device holders 32A and 32B is the same height as or not the same as the bottom surface of the tip of the inspection device holders 32A and 32B, the inspection device holders 32A and 32B are more than the inspection device holders 32A and 32B. It is good that it is slightly lowered or an inclined surface whose upper end or its surrounding bottom surface is lifted upward as it goes to the front end or the periphery.

  The operation of the rail inspection device 14 configured as described above will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the guide wheels 22 </ b> A and 22 </ b> B travel on the corresponding rail during normal rail travel other than the branching device. Since the axles 18A and 18B of the guide wheels 22A and 22B are urged away from each other by the pressing means 20, that is, outward in the width direction of the rail, the flanges 21A and 21B are arranged in the width direction of the rail. Pushed inward, the guide wheels 22A and 22B travel on the rails reliably.

  In addition, since the inspection device holders 32A and 32B are urged downward by the urging mechanisms 30A and 30B, the inspection device 34 is pressed against the top surface of the rail and slidably contacts the top surface of the rail. I do. When the inspection device 34 is an ultrasonic probe, ultrasonic waves are incident on the rail, and echoes from the scratches when there are scratches are received to detect the presence and extent of the scratches.

  Since the guide wheels 22A and 22B are urged to the outside in the width direction of the rail by the pressing means 20, even if the rail gap changes, the flanges 21A and 21B of the guide wheels 22A and 22B follow the change and the rails Since the carriages 16A and 16B and the inspection device holders 32A and 32B are displaced in the rail width direction in accordance with this, the inspection device 34 is always almost constant in the rail width direction of the top surface of the rail. The position can be slid and inspected.

  Since the axles 18A and 18B are biased to the outside in the width direction of the rail, the shoes 26A and 26B are biased to the inside in the width direction of the rail, and therefore move slightly away from the rail.

  Next, a case where the rail inspection device 14 passes through the branching device will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10. In the example of description, it is assumed that the broken line portion G2 is generated on the rails R2 and LR2 on which the guide wheels 22B travel.

  When the rail inspection device 14 reaches the guard rail GR1 before the broken line portion G2, one shoe 26B of the shoes 26A and 26B urged to the inner side in the width direction of the rail is displaced outward in the width direction by the guard rail GR1. And move along the guardrail GR1. For this reason, the carriage 16B, the axle 18B, and the guide wheel 22B integrated with the shoe 26B and the retracting rod 24B are displaced inward in the width direction of the rail against the pressing force by the pressing means 20. In this way, the flange 21B of the guide wheel 22B is sealed from the urging force by the pressing means 20 and is separated from the rail LR2, so that it is prevented from entering a different line at the broken line part G2, and beyond the broken line part G2, You can move to the next rail correctly.

  Subsequently, one inspection device holder 32B of the inspection device holders 32A and 32B reaches the broken line portion G2. At this time, the inspection device holder 32B passes through the broken line portion G2 together with the carriage 16B at a position displaced slightly inward in the width direction of the rail.

  Since the width W of the tip end portions of the inspection device holders 32A and 32B is larger than the maximum width Wmax of the broken line portion G, the inspection device holder 32B is broken when it reaches the broken line portion G2. The rail LR1 or the wing rail WR1 that is an extension of the rail LR1 or the wing rail WR2 that is an extension of the rail LR2 that is at least one of the rails on both sides of the portion G2 can be moved. Particularly, since the inspection instrument holder 32B is displaced slightly inward in the width direction of the rail LR2, and is displaced closer to the rail LR1 or WR1, a part of the inspection instrument holder 32B moves on the rails LR1 and WR1. Therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent falling into the broken line portion G2.

  Further, the warped portion 32a at the tip of the inspection device holder 32B is prevented from being caught by the nose rail NR beyond the broken line portion G.

  The inspection device 34 integrally held by the inspection device holder 32B also passes over the broken line portion G2 together with the inspection device holder 32B. At this time, even if the bottom surface of the inspection device 34 is lower than the inspection device holder 32B, by providing the inclined surface on the bottom surface of the inspection device 34, the broken line portion G2 is formed using the bending of the inspection device holder 32B. It can pass without being caught by the nose rail NR beyond the point.

  Thus, the inspection device holders 32A and 32B and the inspection device 34 move on the top surface of the rail from above the rail, and other rails exist around the broken line portion when viewed from above. Since other rails can be used, the width of the tip end portions of the inspection device holders 32A and 32B can be adjusted to prevent the drop to the broken line portion G. In the illustrated example, the traveling track is a straight line before and after the broken line portion. However, even when the traveling track is curved, the drop can be reliably prevented.

  The inspection device 34 of the inspection device holder 32B is in sliding contact with the rail at a position displaced inward in the width direction of the rail together with the inspection device holder 32B. However, by making the length of displacement of the shoe 26B by the guard rail GR1 slightly (for example, 20 mm or less), the inspection can be continued without changing the inspection position in the rail width direction of the inspection device 34B. In particular, the lead rails LR1 and LR2 before and after the broken line portion can be correctly inspected.

  When the guard rail GR1 disappears after passing through the broken line portion G, the shoe 26B is released from the guard rail GR1, so that the wheel 18B is urged to the outside in the width direction of the rail by the pressing force of the pressing means 20, and the wheel 18B Following the variation, the flange 21B of the guide wheel 22B is pressed against the inner side in the width direction of the rail R12 that has passed over the broken line portion G. At the same time, since the carriage 16B and the inspection device holder 32B are displaced in the rail width direction, the inspection device 34 can perform inspection by slidingly contacting a fixed position in the rail width direction of the top surface of the rail.

  As described above, the rail inspection device 14 can safely pass through the broken line portion G and can continue the inspection before and after the broken line portion G.

  The inspection instrument holders 32A and 32B are prohibited from entering different lines as described above, and are disposed between the guide wheels 18A, 18A, 18B, and 18B that are spaced apart from each other. can do.

  FIG. 11 shows another embodiment of the inspection device holder 32.

  In this embodiment, a roller 32b is pivotally supported at the tip of the inspection device holder 32, and the roller 32b can roll on the top surface of the rail. Also with such a roller 32b, it is possible to prevent the roller 32b from being caught by a rail that has crossed the broken line portion. Further, since the roller 32b rolls on the top surface of the rail, the inspection device holder 32 can be brought into sliding contact with the rail with a small frictional force.

  Although there are various types of branching devices, considering the maximum length and the maximum maximum width among the missing portions of a plurality of branching devices through which the rail inspection device 14 may pass, The dimensions of the inspection device holder may be determined.

14 Rail inspection device 20 Pressing means 21A, 21B Flange 22A, 22B Guide wheels 32A, 32B Inspection device holder 32a Warp-up portion 32b Roller L Inspection device holder length W Inspection device holder tip width 34 Inspection devices G1, G2 Broken Line Lg Length of Broken Line Wmax Maximum Width of Broken Line

Claims (5)

A rail inspection device including an inspection device that inspects a rail while traveling on a pair of left and right rails,
An inspection device holder that integrally holds the inspection device slidingly contacting the top surface of the rail and moves on the top surface of the rail is provided, and the inspection device and the inspection device holder are biased toward the top surface of the rail. And
The inspection instrument holder has at least the maximum width measured along the direction perpendicular to the traveling direction from the missing line part to the top surface of the rail on either side of the missing line part. And the length of the inspection device holder is configured to be longer than the length of the broken line portion ,
The bottom surface of the inspection device has the same height as the bottom surface of the inspection device holder, and the inspection device occupies an area smaller than the area of the bottom surface of the inspection device holder. A rail inspection device, which is arranged with respect to an inspection device holder .   The rail inspection device according to claim 1, wherein a tip of the inspection device holder has a shape that warps upward.   2. The rail inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a roller that rolls on the top surface of the rail is pivotally supported at a tip of the inspection device holder. It has a pair of guide wheels that run on a pair of rails,
The pair of guide wheels are movable in a direction orthogonal to the traveling direction, and are biased in directions away from each other so that the flange of the guide wheel contacts the inner side in the width direction of the corresponding rail,
In the missing line part of the turnout, the urging force of the guide wheel on the side that passes through the broken line part is sealed and separated from the inside of the corresponding rail,
The inspection device holder is movable in the direction orthogonal to the traveling direction together with the corresponding guide wheel, and the inspection device holder on the side passing through the broken line portion is the inner side in the width direction of the rail. The rail inspection device according to claim 1, wherein the rail inspection device is displaced by a distance between the rail inspection device and the rail inspection device. A plurality of pairs of guide wheels are provided at intervals before and after the rail,
The rail inspection apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the inspection device holder is disposed between guide wheels provided at intervals in the front-rear direction.